Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Woody Witt: Woody Witt

110

Woody Witt: Woody Witt

By

Sign in to view read count
Woody Witt: Woody Witt
Omaha, Nebraska native Woody Witt now works out of the Houston, TX area where he holds down the chair as Assistant Director of Jazz Studies at Houston University. Most of what you will hear on his maiden CD are his compositions played in a quartet setting. One hears in Witt an amalgamation of many of the modern saxophone players of the last several decades, starting with John Coltrane, but with obvious mannerisms of John Henderson, Sonny Rollins and Michael Brecker slipping into his playing. On one of his more compelling compositions, "Through the Fog", that special impressionism Coltrane managed to create with the horn, as well as that unique ballad tone, comes through very clear and very effectively. He also gives Duke Pearson's "You Know I Care" a thoughtful improvisational reading without having to resort to saxophone pyrotechnics, such as screeches, honks and other assorted cacophony. Witt is obviously interested in maintaining the purity of the sax sound without unneeded distortions or contrivance. He is also not averse to a swinging chorus or two as he shows in his rambunctious "A Child's Dance". Here he shows complete mastery over the big horn again eschewing unnecessary dramatics getting right to the essence of the music.

The horn player has chosen his playing cohorts for this session well. Pianist Joe LoCascio has several albums out under his own name and appears as a sideman on four albums of that hard bop saxman, Tony Campise. The remaining two members of the quartet, David Craig on bass and Tim Solook on drums, act as perfect rhythmic foils to Witt's hard driving sound. Solook, especially, manages to make his important contributions to the melodic contrivances of Witt, without being overbearing. Witt and group go a long, long way on this album demonstrating that modern creative jazz need not be so distant as to lose contact with the listeners. This album is for the intelligent jazz fan. It may, and should, be obtained through Witt's web site at www.woodywitt.com.

Track Listing

A Child's Dance; Who Cares?; Homage; Through the Fog; My Idea of Fun; Wood; You Know I Care; Trance.

Personnel

Woody Witt
saxophone

Woody Witt - Tenor & Soprano Sax; Joe LoCascio - Piano; David Craig - Bass; Tim Solook - Drums

Album information

Title: Woody Witt | Year Released: 2002

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.